Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid could be in huge trouble should the Portuguese superstar lose his battle against tax evasion accusations. According to Football Leaks, the Spanish court could slap him with a hefty jail sentence that would end his career, something bad for both player and club.
The 32-year-old superstar has been accused of defrauding the government of €14.7m. This eventually led to speculation that the four-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave Spain as a result.
Cristiano has remained with the Spanish champions for now, and even appeared in court to address the accusations. Little is known of what happened in Cristiano’s court case last Monday, but the Portugal legend denied the charges in a plea of innocence.
Pleading innocent means Ronaldo will miss out on the suspended sentences handed to Messi and Mascherano, both of whom accepted their charges in order to avoid jail – instead, paying fines to the government.
If Cristiano pleads guilty, Football Leaks claim the Blancos goal machine is unlikely to escape charges. Football Leaks report that a seven-year jail sentence could be handed to Real Madrid’s leading goalscorer.
La primera, consiste en seguir defendido su inocencia hasta el final y buscar así no ser condenado por nada. Según expertos, muy improbable.
— Football Leaks Spain (@FootballLeaksSp) August 7, 2017
La justicia pide por ahora una pena mínima de 7 años para él, por lo que si le sale mal la primera vía, puede ir a prisión.
— Football Leaks Spain (@FootballLeaksSp) August 7, 2017
El segundo modo, consiste en aceptar el fraude y pagar. Acogiéndose a la atenuante que le permite pactar, pero tiene que aceptar el fraude.
— Football Leaks Spain (@FootballLeaksSp) August 7, 2017
If Ronaldo is innocent, he will have to choose between fighting off the false accusations at the risk of going to prison, or accept the charges in order to receive a suspended sentence. He has 13 days to respond to the court with his final answer.
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